podraza
Warlord
First, this forum is great. I received some good advice on my whipping problem. Thanks to all who helped with that.
I've got a number of other misc. questions and I thought I'd just throw them out there. For context, I am somewhere in between experienced and noobish. I play on Prince, and sometimes win.
1. What should influence my decision as to early tech research? The major problem I grapple with is trying to decide whether to research all/most of the early techs myself or to beeline for something. It seems like building up a basic infrastructure is impossible if you ignore those early basics, wheel, pottery, bronzeworking, iron working, animal husbandry, archery, etc so I tend to research all of them myself. Now granted, I could pick up these techs for free if I beelined and traded, but I'd have to wait around on some very important things, namely improving various resource tiles, building early units, etc. Obviously there is no easy answer. Ideas?
2. How should I weigh the pros and cons of open border agreements at the start of the game? The biggest con seems to me that you allow the enemy to explore areas you have blocked off, and this allows him to plop himself down and snag resources you were saving for yourself. Of course, you COULD do the same thing right back, but I never do that, I don't like having cities detached from my empire, the AI doesn't seem to care. The biggest pro is some increased friendliness. I'm leaning towards a policy of keeping the borders closed to everyone unless and until I want to explore their land for pre-war recon purposes. This is only until I've secured what land I want to secure. Then I'll open the borders for diplomatic gains. Sound good?
3. I only recently starting slaving, and I abused it to my own detriment, going buck wild. I ended up broke all the time. The good people on this forum advised against it, that instead I should use it only for certain buildings. Well, what are those? I know which buildings to build, I know about specialization and how that works. But which to whip? Assume a non emergency situation.
4. Are markets and grocers as low value as I think they are? If they boost gold only, and if gold is always running 30% or less, then that isn't nearly the value that a library or university is. Correct? I should place these buildings as low priorities. Correct?
5. I am currently playing every game with the same initial build order. Worker, worker, unit, settler. I am chopping non-stop until I get these out or run out of woods in the fat X. I know there is some room for debate as to the best way to start, but is there anything terribly wrong with this order?
Thanks!
I've got a number of other misc. questions and I thought I'd just throw them out there. For context, I am somewhere in between experienced and noobish. I play on Prince, and sometimes win.
1. What should influence my decision as to early tech research? The major problem I grapple with is trying to decide whether to research all/most of the early techs myself or to beeline for something. It seems like building up a basic infrastructure is impossible if you ignore those early basics, wheel, pottery, bronzeworking, iron working, animal husbandry, archery, etc so I tend to research all of them myself. Now granted, I could pick up these techs for free if I beelined and traded, but I'd have to wait around on some very important things, namely improving various resource tiles, building early units, etc. Obviously there is no easy answer. Ideas?
2. How should I weigh the pros and cons of open border agreements at the start of the game? The biggest con seems to me that you allow the enemy to explore areas you have blocked off, and this allows him to plop himself down and snag resources you were saving for yourself. Of course, you COULD do the same thing right back, but I never do that, I don't like having cities detached from my empire, the AI doesn't seem to care. The biggest pro is some increased friendliness. I'm leaning towards a policy of keeping the borders closed to everyone unless and until I want to explore their land for pre-war recon purposes. This is only until I've secured what land I want to secure. Then I'll open the borders for diplomatic gains. Sound good?
3. I only recently starting slaving, and I abused it to my own detriment, going buck wild. I ended up broke all the time. The good people on this forum advised against it, that instead I should use it only for certain buildings. Well, what are those? I know which buildings to build, I know about specialization and how that works. But which to whip? Assume a non emergency situation.
4. Are markets and grocers as low value as I think they are? If they boost gold only, and if gold is always running 30% or less, then that isn't nearly the value that a library or university is. Correct? I should place these buildings as low priorities. Correct?
5. I am currently playing every game with the same initial build order. Worker, worker, unit, settler. I am chopping non-stop until I get these out or run out of woods in the fat X. I know there is some room for debate as to the best way to start, but is there anything terribly wrong with this order?
Thanks!